ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16164, 19 March 1918, Page 3

ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

A SUMNER GRIEVANCE. Ah last night's meeting of the Sumner Borough Council, a reply was received from the Christchurch -City Council in connexion with the alleged canvassing in Snmner for electric c orient by an official of the City Council. The letter, after repudiating any such impropriety on the part of the Council's officer, stated that the Sumner Borough Council had evidently made & very bad bargain when it had to charge sixpence per unit for ?lecticity. New Brighton was charged the same as the city, and the engineer could not mention any price charged that would not be lower than the price charged at Redcliffs. The following two instances were quoted as city prices*. Merivale lane, June 2.04 d, and December 2.2 d per unit; Byron street, Sydenham, June 2.2 d per unit, and December 2.2 d per unit. The City Council was prepared to submit proposals in a business-like manner when asked to do so. The letter further stated that the Mayor of Christchurch regretted any misunderstanding, as the City Council was desirous of being on friendly terms with all local bodies. It was decided to receive the letter, the Mayor (Hon. John Barr) stating that a number of statements made in the Citv Electrical Engineer's report were contrary to fact. The engineer had never waited on him since he liad been Mayor. Some twelve months ago he was assured that there was ro hope of the city supplying Sumner at the city price. The City Council mignt have adopted a new system, since then, but it was pointed out at that time j that the city could not be expected to! do the work and not charge for it. At that time the Council had considered the Government's offer and tl.e City Council's offer, and had decided that the former was the better. If the City Council was desirous of getting the business, then let it make an offer to the Sumner Borough Council, which would consider it. He further stated that up to the present he had received no complaints from residents of Redcliffs as to the charge; they were datisfieU to pay sixpence and were also satisfied with the lighting. lie suggested that the matter should be referred to the Lighting Committee, and in the meantime he would interview the Government officials in Wellington and obtain further information. On the motion of Cr. Lawson the whole matter was referred to the Lighting Committee.